LEARN ABOUT
Current Projects and Programs
LEARN ABOUT
Current Projects and Programs
A place to exchange knowledge and ideas.
North Jersey RC&D created the Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) as a place for farmers to learn and exchange knowledge regarding regenerative farm practices. Through RFN-NJ, farmers can receive technical assistance, training opportunities, speaker-development and farmer-to-farmer networking.
What Do Participants Gain?
North Jersey RC&D works with partners to provide:
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Educational workshops, field days, and meetings.
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Topics may include mitigation strategies for dealing with increased severe weather; rotational grazing; available farm loans and financial assistance; etc.
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Farmer Network Tours: Informative farmer-led walks.
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1:1 Technical Assistance (TA) Opportunity: TA includes annual farm budget preparation & farm planning; nutrient management planning; TA for implementing conservation practices; or soil testing fees.
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Steering Committee/Regional Leadership Training: An opportunity for development to become a regional conservation leader and provide input on the direction of RFN-NJ.
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Mentorship opportunity: Each year we pair 3 mentors with 3 mentees to train up new and transitioning farmers to regenerative agriculture.
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Education Stipend: Historically underserved farmers are eligible for up to $600 to apply towards regenerative farming education and events.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Farmer Network Tour: Cotton Cattle Co. + Grill & Gather
Join us for the first RFN-NJ Farmer Network Tour of the season. Bryce Cotton of Cotton Cattle Co. will discuss his diverse cover crop mix, grazing annual mixes, and dry matter estimates and how they all work together to improve the average daily weight gains of his cattle, the bottom line of his farm financials, and of course, soil health.
After the farm tour, kick back with us at the Lodge at Cotton Cattle Co. for a laid-back cookout—burgers, hot dogs, and good company. It’s the perfect chance to catch up, swap stories, and talk shop before the busy season kicks into high gear!
Date: Tuesday, May 13th **Rain Date: May 20th**
Time: 3-5pm Tour; 5-7pm Grill & Gather
Location: Asbury, Warren County, NJ
Farmer Network Tour: CMB Ag.
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Date: Tuesday, June 17th
Time: 3-5pm Tour; 5-7pm Grill & Gather
Location: Stockton, Hunterdon County, NJ
More info soon to come!
RFN-NJ Education Stipends for HU Farmers
​RFN-NJ has education stipends of up to $600 available to HU farmers to expand their knowledge of regenerative agriculture.
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Recent Past Events & Opportunities
Spring Garden Prep Field Day
Interested in raised garden beds for production or seed saving? Come for a day at Wildflower Farm in Pennington, NJ with Tomia MacQueen and RFN-NJ. Tomia will go over basics of choosing the right kind of raised bed for your goals, bed preparation, crop rotation, as well as seed production and companion planting. Stay for a guided hands-on experience in preparing beds.
Date: Saturday, March 29th, 2025
Mentorship Program - filled for 2025
The mentorship program is a flexible program tailored to the needs of the mentees and expertise and teaching styles of the mentors. We aim to help shape the future of New Jersey agriculture by fostering the growth of new or transitioning regenerative farmers. Three mentors and three mentees have been paired for the 2025 cohort. We look forward to watching the mentee/mentorship pairs grow!
Lunch & Learn: Grassland Bird Habitat on Working Farms
Join us for a lunchtime webinar hosted by the Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) and learn about how you can encourage grassland birds on your farm! Celia Vuocolo, Stewardship Project Director at NJ Audubon, will discuss:
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The importance of supporting grassland birds on working farms,
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Agricultural practices that encourage grassland birds,
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Local resources that can provide financial incentives and technical assistance.
Grab your lunch and join us for this informative webinar!
RFN-NJ Annual Network Event: Get Connected!
Discover available programs and meet the people who run them, network with fellow farmers, build valuable connections for your farm's success! This event was held Dec. 5th, 2024. Click here to learn about the organizations that attended the RFN-NJ 2024 Annual Network Event and provide programs to NJ farmers.
Chat & Chew: Elderberry Production
This RFN-NJ Chat & Chew will be a round table discussion with Q&A for both experienced and beginning farmers who are interested in growing elderberries.
RFN-NJ Annual Networking Event
SENDING OUT ROOTS: Tapping into Regenerative Agriculture
​Engage in Q&As with fellow farmers on how they tap into the bigger pictures of their farm when making decisions. Discover insights on how they work with their natural environment, communities, and economies and what they've done to overcome challenges.
Soils Field Day
Join the Regenerative Farm Network (RFN-NJ) with NRCS soil scientist, Fred Schoenagel. Farmers will learn some insights on what they can look for in their own soils before making management changes or troubleshooting a field that is not performing optimally.
In the afternoon, we'll enjoy a boxed lunch at the Prallsville Mill followed by a presentation with consultant Sarah Crooke. Sarah will discuss how to collect soil samples and how to interpret soil lab results, followed by a Q&A.
more about the
regenerative farm network
Who can join?
​RFN-NJ is open to all farmers interested in learning about regenerative farm practices for their farms. Currently, content will be tailored towards small- to mid-sized producers in the northern New Jersey counties of Hunterdon, Morris, Mercer, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren. Historically underserved farmers will have priority for technical assistance and mentorship through the program.
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What is a historically underserved farmer?
Historically underserved farmers and ranchers include beginner, limited resource, socially disadvantaged, and veteran farmers and ranchers. You can learn more clicking here.
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What is the purpose of the Regenerative Farm Network?
There is a growing need to provide farmers with the technical expertise and tools to build resiliency. Farmers are facing more frequent, intense storms and unpredictable weather. The prices of inputs are sky-rocketing. Implementing regenerative, soil health practices can be a tool to help mitigate those pressures and build farm resilience. The RFN-NJ will assist farmers by providing a network of peers and technical experts to learn from and share knowledge around building farm resilience.
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RFN-NJ Mission:
To foster a collaborative community that empowers New Jersey farmers to adopt and expand regenerative agriculture practices through peer-to-peer learning, leadership development, and technical and financial assistance, enhancing farm viability, building soil health, protecting water quality, and supporting resilient food production.
RFN-NJ Vision:
A thriving, resilient agricultural future for New Jersey, where farmers from all backgrounds, experience levels, and production types come together to embrace regenerative farming practices, ensuring robust food systems, healthy ecosystems, and vibrant farming communities for generations to come.
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How can I join?
Joining is simple. Fill out a short membership form here or contact sloscalzo@northjerseyrcd.org.
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How is RFN funded?
This work is supported by the Conservation Outreach: Equity through Cooperative Agreements grant through USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).
RFN-NJ
Steering Committee & Regional Leadership TraininG
It is important that farmers are directly involved in shaping RFN-NJ. Six members of RFN-NJ are selected each year to be part of the Steering Committee to provide guidance and shape RFN-NJ.
To foster leaders who can serve as a continued resource for farmer-to-farmer learning, the Steering Committee members will also be part of the Regional Leadership Training Initiative. The Steering Committee will receive mentorship and training to support their education and development into Regional Leaders for regenerative agriculture as part of the Regional Leadership Training Initiative.
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2025 Steering Committee and NJ RC&D staff from left to right: Erin Shroll (Blue Herons Farm and Native Nursery), Laura Tessieri (NJ RC&D), Holly Sytsema (The Farm at Windy Flats), Mitchell Jones (Mountain Top Farm), Elise Haring (Haring Family Farm), Sam Loscalzo (NJ RC&D), Bryce Cotton (Cotton Cattle Co.), Tomia MacQueen (Wildflower Farm)
Past Steering Committees
RFN-NJ Updates & News
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?
Contact Sam Loscalzo at sloscalzo@northjerseyrcd.org or
(908) 574-5368